« Small Business Networking to Get More Clients and Market Professional Services | Main | Business Networking In The 21St Century For Men And Women »
Networking is not About Selling
By admin | July 7, 2007
When I first started out in my business I was urged by a well known sales guru to network my heart out; “put yourself out there Jean, give everyone you meet your business card”.
Scary stuff for one stepping out on a limb already! For a bright woman it took me a long time to get my head around the fact that networking is not about sales or selling me and my business.
In fact I know now that my business card is the least powerful tool in my networking tool box. My email signature and website, which is consistent with my business card and flyers is though. Why? Because follow up is the most powerful tool when it comes to networking effectively and follow up starts with that friendly email which will, nine times out of ten, become part of the other persons database with all my details including a link to my website.
People remember you for what you give; time, attention, interest and a genuine invitation to get to know them and their business better. As a consequence of building and maintaining a relationship you and your business, product or service become inextricably linked in the mind and memory of the person you link to.
Having become somewhat of a serial networker, no longer uncomfortable or leery of the unknown, rather I am excited and stimulated by the amount of truly interesting people out there. I am also forever reminded of what a small world it is. Auckland is small, New Zealand is small and the world now is also small. Not only do I keep bumping into people I know when I least expect it at an event or meeting; I am meeting people who it suddenly turns out know people I know and hey presto an immediate connection is made. People are 100 times more comfortable with strangers when a common link presents itself.
While not everyone is going to be a prospective client or sale, they might instead become a valuable supplier or contact for your own clients or customers. Regardless they will potentially know people who could become a client or customer.
Regards of whether you are self employed, a business owner or manager or an employee networking is vital to expanding your influence and profile as well as being the ideal opportunity to give others a step up or the support you were given.
Recently I was a conference speaker on a panel for woman who almost without exception worked for the public service or related public sector organisations. They totally embraced the concept of creating their own internal networks, rather like the workplace equivalent of coffee groups. Giving them the opportunity to share resources, build working relationships, problem solve and generally support and encourage each other. Not to mention building their reputation in the workplace and opening doors for career advancement.
Networking is nothing more than people needing people in action. Fill the need and your needs will get filled in return. It may take a while however the return on your networking “investment” is guaranteed and will oil the wheels of your business growth and success. You might also find that you enjoy it and become a serial networker too.
Watch the video related to woman networking
BraveHeartWomen.com – Conscious TV -The Panel talks with Renee Connor,about her role on Warrior Princess and the lessons she learned! Looking for Change? Ask the right questions!
Help answer the question about woman networking
How to attract more business minded women to networking event in London?About Author
Jean Caldwell is a contract Executive Assistant
and Business Administrator working with a variety of small to medium business
managers and owners.
Her business, PA 2 Go, also specializes in
assisting non-for-profits and business organisations in lifting the bar of
professional service and development for their members. PA 2 Go is committed to
the success of your business as a dedicated team member working in partnership
with you; when you need it, where you need it.
To find out more about the assistance Jean can
provide you and your business or organisation visit
www.pa2go.co.nz
Topics: Networking | 18 Comments »
July 7th, 2007 at 9:12 am
You should have made the move on the black dress at 2:22…at least get an upskirt…
July 7th, 2007 at 9:18 am
sounds like this guy masters his fruit a lot.
July 7th, 2007 at 8:56 am
I don't really know, but I guess it's because this way they concentrate all the profit to only one direction.
July 7th, 2007 at 9:01 am
if you are so worried about him getting sales why not drive him around to houses and have him do the work he is suppose to do !! its not your obligation to sell that crap for his school. I personally throw those things in the trash any thing they are giving away you can probably purchase at the dollar store its mostly crap!
July 7th, 2007 at 9:54 am
You need to set up a meeting with a producer. Once you get a producer, he or she will talk to the network for you.
July 7th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
i think that he wants to sell the harddrive as well. thats probably the point in selling it..
but umm yes when you buy games from the ps network store, it allows you to download them on up to 5 different ps3's. so they will be available for download in the previous download tab in the top-right corner of the screen.
when you get your new ps3 and log in. instead of new acct click existing acct and put in the old acct log in info and youll be all set. with all your old friends, and HOME info.
July 8th, 2007 at 5:11 am
i didnt say you ppl couldnt and i do have plenty of movies of me thats better than a pic.
why the hell would you wanna judge another dude though?
July 8th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
July 9th, 2007 at 2:34 am
Is every woman at this mall enormous?
July 9th, 2007 at 12:27 am
"The Secrets of Closing the Sale" by Zig Ziggler.
July 9th, 2007 at 11:29 am
ahahhahah u can smile and make this guys day
July 9th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
LMAO that made me laugh too.
July 9th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
How is not looking good ever an advantage? Are you thinking of picking up girls while getting cosmetic surgery?
July 9th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
i think we should be the judge of good looking or not .. you dont have a pic in your profile
July 10th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Search "hollywood dealmaking" at Amazon.com and you will find a dozen or more paperback books on the subject that will provide tons of very helpful information. Each book is around $11.00, so invest $50.00 in your idea and get 3-4 books. Good Luck!!
July 10th, 2007 at 4:18 am
July 10th, 2007 at 7:39 am
You should study because the more information you know the better you will be able to sell more to the customers. And sometimes the customer ask you so many question about what you are trying to sell them. And if you don't know your product they want buy from you.And they will just look at you as a NO Nothing telemarketer trying to make a sale. And you know that alot of people hate telemarketers.
July 10th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Can you elaborate??
Or is this comment as stupid as it looks…?